As the Yuletide season approaches, the Jamaica Constabulary Force is urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and vigilance.

In a release yesterday, the Constabulary said being mindful of potential hazards and always being ready for the sinister intentions of criminals will help persons get through the season incident-free.

It listed a number of measures that it believes can aid in keeping civilians safe.

According to the police, securing all entrances to your home, installing burglar-proofing systems, padlocking all doors, and if possible, investing in a home security system are ways to ensure safety.

It then urged residents to keep travel plans offline.

If citizens are planning to travel, they should be sure to keep travel plans off social media networks.

It also urged citizens not to overload circuits, extension cords or electrical sockets, as this could cause a fire.

While shopping, be aware of your surroundings by staying alert in crowded areas like markets, malls and stores.

Citizens are also advised to check their environment before entering parking lots or garages, ensuring they are well-lit and populated with people.

The Constabulary encouraged citizens to avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

Additionally, it called on citizens to avoid using phones while shopping and to stay focused, keeping attention on what they are doing rather than getting distracted by excessive chatting or browsing.